Monkeypox is re-emerging and spreading over the world, posing a serious threat to human life, especially in non-endemic countries, including Saudi Arabia. Due to the paucity of research on knowledge about monkeypox in Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to evaluate the general population’s knowledge of monkeypox in a sample of the country. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 25 May 2022 to 15 July 2022. Participants’ knowledge about monkeypox on a 23-item scale and socio-demographic characteristics were gathered in the survey. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to compare knowledge level (categorized into high and low) and explanatory variables. Out of 480, only 48% of the respondents had high knowledge (mean score > 14). Participants’ age, marital status, residential region, living in the urban area, education level, employment status, being a healthcare worker, income, and smoking status were significantly associated with the level of knowledge about monkeypox (p < 0.01). Overall, social media (75.0%) was the most frequently reported source from where participants obtained monkeypox-related information followed by TV and radio (45.6%), family or friend (15.6%), and healthcare provider (13.8%). We found that overall knowledge of monkeypox infection was slightly poor among the Saudi population. These findings highlight the urgent need for public education on monkeypox to promote awareness and engage the public ahead of the outbreak.

The growing incidence of human monkeypox cases emphasizes the significance of prevention, early detection, and prompt responses for healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward monkeypox infection among physicians, a frontline healthcare worker group, in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey assessing knowledge and attitudes towards monkeypox infection on multiple-item scales was sent to physicians in Saudi Arabia. The associations between independent factors and either knowledge or attitude were assessed. The final analysis included 398 participants. Approximately 55% of the surveyed participants had a “good knowledge” score about human monkeypox. The adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that being a female physician, working in the private sector, and having information on human monkeypox during medical school or residency years were the only factors associated with a good level of knowledge about human monkeypox. However, physicians’ knowledge and attitudes regarding monkeypox infection are inadequate and influenced by various factors. There is a significant knowledge gap between the therapeutic management of monkeypox and its vaccination. Training and knowledge assessments are important, especially when studies show significant improvement in related and specific knowledge.

Since Saudi Arabia has already confirmed multiple monkeypox (Mpox) cases, it is essential to initiate timely preventive measures, including the implementation of vaccines. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia to understand their willingness to receive the Mpox vaccine. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the data. The study comprised 734 samples. Our study found that among study participants, 52.7% were willing to receive the Mpox vaccine and showed that sociodemographic factors were not significantly associated with vaccine willingness. Previous vaccination history (such as influenza and COVID-19) was significantly associated with Mpox vaccine willingness. The respondents reported that the main reasons for receiving the Mpox vaccine were their trust in the Saudi Health Ministry (57.7%) and their understanding that the vaccine was a social responsibility (44.6%). Furthermore, the majority of the respondents (74.7%) reported that they were motivated by the need to protect themselves, their family and their friends. Insufficient vaccine information and fear of unknown adverse reactions were the most reported reasons for an unwillingness to receive the Mpox vaccine. In conclusion, increasing Mpox vaccine-related awareness and focusing on greater information dissemination to reduce fear and increase vaccine uptake is highly recommended.

A critical component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda is its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which is dedicated to the promotion of health and well-being for all. This narrative review offers a mid-term assessment of Saudi Arabia’s progress in attaining these objectives, with a particular emphasis on the public health initiatives and comprehensive healthcare reforms that have been implemented as part of this vision. The Kingdom has accomplished substantial reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality rates, with skilled birth attendance reaching nearly universal levels. Saudi Arabia is a regional leader in the field of infectious diseases, having achieved the 95-95-95 HIV targets and significantly reduced the incidences of tuberculosis and malaria. Additionally, the rates of premature mortality from conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases have decreased as a result of efforts to combat non-communicable diseases. Mental health services have been substantially expanded, which has resulted in one of the lowest suicide rates reported worldwide. Substantial investments have collectively improved the universality and quality of healthcare services in health infrastructure, such as the expansion of primary healthcare centers and the integration of digital health solutions, which have supported these health achievements. Saudi Arabia continues to confront persistent obstacles, including the management of the increase in non-communicable diseases, the mitigation of environmental health risks, and the reconciliation of healthcare access disparities, despite these accomplishments. The review recommends that the social determinants of health be addressed through a sustained commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration, enhanced data collection and utilization for health policy-making, and further integration of technology in healthcare delivery. This review not only emphasizes the Kingdom’s successes but also the intricate challenges it has encountered, providing valuable insights into the strategic planning required to maintain health gains and achieve SDG 3 by 2030. Saudi Arabia’s innovative approach and robust policy implementation serve as a model for the integration of health priorities into national development frameworks, thereby improving health outcomes and contributing to sustainable development.

Background: Evaluating public health surveillance systems is important to ensure that events of public health importance are appropriately monitored. Evaluation studies based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines have been used to appraise surveillance systems globally. Previous evaluation studies undertaken in member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) were limited to specific illnesses within a single nation. Objective: We aimed to evaluate public health surveillance systems in GCC countries using CDC guidelines and recommend necessary improvements to enhance these systems. Methods: The CDC guidelines were used for evaluating the surveillance systems in GCC countries. A total of 6 representatives from GCC countries were asked to rate 43 indicators across the systems’ level of usefulness, simplicity, flexibility, acceptability, sensitivity, predictive value positive, representativeness, data quality, stability, and timeliness. Descriptive data analysis and univariate linear regression analysis were performed. Results: All surveillance systems in the GCC covered communicable diseases, and approximately two-thirds (4/6, 67%, 95% CI 29.9%-90.3%) of them covered health care–associated infections. The mean global score was 147 (SD 13.27). The United Arab Emirates scored the highest in the global score with a rating of 167 (83.5%, 95% CI 77.7%-88.0%), and Oman obtained the highest scores for usefulness, simplicity, and flexibility. Strong correlations were observed between the global score and the level of usefulness, flexibility, acceptability, representativeness, and timeliness, and a negative correlation was observed between stability and timeliness score. Disease coverage was the most substantial predictor of the GCC surveillance global score. Conclusions: GCC surveillance systems are performing optimally and have shown beneficial outcomes. GCC countries must use the lessons learned from the success of the systems of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. To maintain GCC surveillance systems so that they are viable and adaptable to future potential health risks, measures including centralized information exchange, deployment of emerging technologies, and system architecture reform are necessary.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) pose a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where epidemiological data remain scarce. These diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, leading to chronic morbidity and economic burdens. Understanding their distribution and burden is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence, distribution, and etiological patterns of NTDs in KSA, identifying key research gaps and informing future policy directions. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on peer-reviewed studies published between 1950 and 2024 that investigated NTDs in humans in KSA. Ninety-four articles met the inclusion criteria. The majority (69.15%, n = 65) were published after 2010, with most studies concentrated in the western (n = 35, 37.23%) and southwestern (n = 15, 15.96%) regions, areas known for environmental and socioeconomic factors that may contribute to disease transmission. Protozoal NTDs were the most frequently reported (n = 28, 29.78%), followed by viral (n = 26, 27.66%), helminthic (n = 18, 19.15%), and ectoparasitic (n = 9, 9.57%) infections. Bacterial (n = 5, 5.32%), fungal (n = 4, 4.26%), and venom-related (n = 4, 4.26%) NTDs were less commonly reported. Meta-analysis yielded pooled prevalence estimates of leishmaniasis at 0.59 (95% CI: 0.38–0.77, I² = 94.2%) and dengue at 0.20 (95% CI: 0.05–0.53, I² = 98.8%), highlighting a substantial disease burden and high heterogeneity among studies. The findings emphasize the urgent need for strengthened national surveillance, improved diagnostic capacity, and region-specific interventions to control NTDs in KSA. Future research should focus on underrepresented regions, expand community-based epidemiological studies, and integrate cross-border surveillance strategies to mitigate disease importation risks. By addressing these gaps, KSA can enhance its preparedness and contribute to global NTD elimination efforts.